Opera on the Beach

2014Coolangatta Beach

Presented by Opera Australia
in partnership with Bleach*
Festival, City of Gold Coast and Tourism & Events Queensland

Mozart's The Magic Flute; out of the
theatre and onto the beach...

Sometimes it feels like a crime to go indoors when the skies are clear, even for a
night at the opera. That’s why we’re taking the opera out of the theatre
and onto the beach.

Picture a giant sandcastle on the beach at Coolangatta, families enjoying a picnic,
children playing as the sun goes down, and miraculously beautiful music. And there
you have a uniquely Australian production of one of the world’s favourite operas,
Mozart’s The Magic Flute.

This new production is directed by Michael Gow
and stars some of Opera Australia’s finest singers alongside a chorus drawn
from community choirs and Gold Coast’s own surf life saving clubs. Together,
they will battle the monster, put a spell on the guards and rescue the princess before
sending you home with stars in your eyes, sand in your shoes and songs in your heart.

Now that’s opera, Australia!

Food, beverage and seating

A range of food and beverages is available at the venue from 5pm.

For the comfort of our patrons only low chairs will be permitted. Strictly no BYO
alcohol. Alcohol will be available for purchase on site.

Spread out your towel on the sand and picnic under the stars.

The Opera Australia Community Choir has been assisted by the Australian
Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its funding and advisory body.

The Magic Flute

Act 1

Tamino, a young explorer, finds himself in a mysterious
tomblike maze. A terrible monster begins stalking him and in his panic to escape,
Tamino knocks himself out. At that moment, Three Women arrive to send the monster
back to whatever vault it escaped from.

The Three Women are very taken with Tamino, each
wanting to stay alone with him while the other two go and alert the woman they serve,
the mysterious Queen of the Night. In the end all three go, promising to return.

Tamino comes to, not sure where he is or even
whether he’s not dreaming. Another bizarre figure appears. It’s
Papageno, the former ornithologist now bird catcher who works for the Queen of the
Night. Papageno claims to have defeated the monster but the three women return
and make it clear they were the ones who rescued Tamino. To stop Papageno fibbing
they put a stopper in his mouth.

They give Tamino a locket with a portrait of the
Queen of the Night’s daughter Pamina. Tamino immediately falls in love
with Pamina and vows to rescue her from the terrible man who has kidnapped her.

The Queen of the Night hears his vow and arrives to promise that the moment Pamina
is rescued she will be Tamino’s bride.

The Three Women give Tamino a magic flute to protect him on his mission. They
give Papageno, who doesn’t really want to help, a magic music box to keep him
safe. The Three Woman give both men Spirits to guide them on their quest. Tamino
and Papageno set off to rescue Pamina.

Pamina is trying to escape from the maze but she is caught by Monostatos, the
man who is assigned to guard her. It’s clear Monostatos is very taken
with Pamina. Papageno stumbles in and looks so bizarre Monostatos goes to get
help. Papageno tells Pamino that a handsome young man is in love with her and
they must go to meet him. They both yearn to have someone to love.

Tamino meanwhile encounters a Stranger who questions him about his reasons for
being in this tomb. Tamino tells him he’s here to rescue a young women
from an evil man. The Stranger tells Tamino he doesn’t know the true story
about Pamina’s kidnap.

Tamino is afraid Pamina might be dead but mysterious voices tell him she is still
alive.

The Stranger returns with his followers. The Stranger is in fact Sarastro,
Pamina’s father and leader of a band of Philosophers working in the tomb. Monostatos
has caught Tamino, who is shocked to learn the Stranger he insulted is the man who
stole his beloved from her mother. Monostatos expects to be rewarded for finding
Tamino but instead is punished for harassing Pamina. Sarastro tells Tamino he
must join the Philosophers or never find his way out of the maze.

Act 2

Sarastro and the Philosophers convene and agree that Tamino is ready to undergo
the three trials that lead to membership of their circle. The first trial is
the Trial by Silence.

The Three Women appear and warn them that terrible things will happen to them
if they join the Philosophers. Papageno is terrified and can’t keep quiet.

The Spirit Guides appear to tell the two men to be brave in the coming trials.
They feed them to build up their strength for what’s to come.

Pamina finds Tamino but he can’t speak to her because of the Trial by Silence.
She thinks he doesn’t love her any more and is heartbroken. She
thinks that only death will end her suffering. Papageno wishes he had someone
to feel as deeply about him.

Monostatos finds the unhappy Pamina and decides to make her his, but The Queen
of the Night arrives. She is impatient for Tamino to lead Pamina out of the
tomb. She admits she also wants to know the secret knowledge that Sarastro is
uncovering. When Pamina tells her Tamino will become one of the Philosphers,
The Queen of the Night is enraged. She tells Pamina she must kill Sarastro or
she will no longer be her daughter.

Sarastro comforts Pamina and tells her that the secret knowledge he has uncovered
involves forgiveness and resistance to the urge for revenge.

Tamino is led to the next two trials, The Trial by Fire and the Trial by Water
by two Priests in protective outfits. Pamina cries out in despair, Tamino hears
her and they are reunited. Pamina bravely leads Tamino through the secret doors
that lead to the two Trials. Her love and the music of the magic flute protect
them and they survive. They are welcomed into the band of Philosophers.

Papageno is overwhelmed by loneliness and thinks of ending his life. But
the Spirits Guides tell him to use the music box to obtain what he longs for. He
does and finally meets his perfect partner, Papagena.

Monostatos is now aiding and abetting the Queen of Night and they are about to
blow up the tomb when Sarastro exposes their plot. But instead of punishing
them, he heeds his own philosophy and humbles himself before them, asking forgiveness
for having been so angry towards them. Every one sings of the joy and harmony
that come from listening to this wisdom.

All seating for Opera on the Beach is on the sand. Premium, A-reserve, and B-reserve
are all seated by general admission so we recommend arriving early. Check out the
Opera
on the Beach Seating Map (pdf). In the premium section, a low-set beach chair
will be provided. If you're sitting in A-reserve or B-reserve, you're welcome
to bring your own chair (but the back of chair should be no taller than 80 cm from
the ground). Camping chairs are not permitted. If you don't want to bring a chair,
we recommend bringing a blanket, towel, or beach mat to sit on.

In 2014 it is our pleasure to present a new production of The Magic Flute. We
have assembled some information to help guide you through you night and make this
a spectacular experience truly unforgettable.

Important Times

Venue open: 5:00pm
Show Starts: 6:30pm

What to wear

There are no rules about what to wear at an opera performance. It is always great
fun to frock-up for the occasion and make a glamorous night of it, but dressing up
is not mandatory. Remember this is an outdoor event so most importantly you will be
sitting on the sand and should dress for all weather conditions.

Cloak Room

There are no cloak room facilities available. We recommend that you do not
bring large or bulky items or items of significant value. Please also note that there
is strictly no BYO Alcohol. However, there are a range of food and beverage
options available at the venue from 5pm.

Seating

Opera on the Beach is General Admission with allocated reserves. There is no undercover
seating. Please remember that unless you have purchased premium seating you will be
sitting on the beach.

Beach mats, towels, blankets and the ground beach chairs are permitted for you
to bring to sit on for the performance. Camping chairs will not be permitted on site.

Late Seating

To ensure the enjoyment of all audience members, we will be unable to seat latecomers
until a suitable break in the performance.

Service of alcohol

Premium Ticket Holders will receive a ticket to an exclusive Premium Bar area located
on the beach. This exclusive area will be opening during interval and post show for
the Premium guests. A-Reserve, B-Reserve and Restricted Seating will have access to
one of three bars located across the site. These bars are not exclusive to ticket
holders, but will have a number of food and beverage options available at affordable
prices.

Only beverages purchased at the venue will be permitted – sorry, no BYO.
And of course, you must be over 18 to purchase or consume alcohol at the venue.

ATM and cash

Payment will be accepted cash only. Please note there will be no ATM facilities
at Opera on the Beach.

Pre and post show dining

There are a number of restaurants located along Marine Parade to cater for all
budgets and tastes. Please be sure to visit one of the many options available before
or after the show. There will also be a BBQ on site run by the Greenmount Surf Club
and other snack options. For more information about dining options close to Opera
on the Beach click here. Please read our full Terms and Conditions before
purchasing dining packages.

Subtitles

The Magic Flute is sung in English. Don’t worry if you can’t
follow every word as the action will convey a great deal of the story. If you wear
glasses make sure you bring them along.

Interval

There will be one 30 minute interval which will allow you to have a drink, freshen-up
and stretch your legs. When you hear the bells ringing, it's time to return to
your seats.

Applause

Opera audiences are famous for their passionate involvement in the performance.
Don't be alarmed if the people around you start stomping their feet at the end
of the performance, this is an opera tradition to show your enjoyment and appreciation,
feel free to join in if you like. All applause will be gratefully received, although
it is polite to wait until the singing and music has stopped.

Recording

The recording (audio or video) and taking of photos (including camera phones) during
the performance is prohibited.

Mobile phones

We request that mobile phones are turned off prior to the performance. If you must
keep your phone turned on, please place it on silent or vibrate mode. Please also
remember that light from your phone may be distracting to other audience members.

After the show

Performances will finish around 8.30pm so you'll have time to enjoy a drink
at any one of the on-site bar areas before heading out to enjoy the nightlife of Gold
Coast.

We hope you enjoy your night at the Opera on the Beach.

Age Limits

People of all ages are welcome to attend, however all patrons must hold a valid
ticket to enter the venue. Children under 15 have discounted entry – refer to
ticket prices. There is free entry for ‘babes in arms’, however, prams
are not allowed on the beach.

Non Smoking Venue

Opera on the Beach is largely a non smoking venue, however limited designated areas
will be provided where smoking is permitted.

Opera Australia is committed to the rights of all people to experience our events.
As such, we have implemented specific access measures for Opera on the Beach –
The Magic Flute to welcome guests with disability.

For any other disability access information please contact QTIX on 136 246.

Opera on the Beach is an open-air event. The venue and the stage are completely
uncovered. The special nature of this event will be appreciated by visitors from all
over the world who understand that there is a certain risk of bad weather. Opera Australia
and Bleach* Festival is therefore committed to going ahead with a performance of Opera
on the Beach even in doubtful weather conditions.

Visitors are advised that it may rain during the performance. The performance will
proceed if there are light, intermittent showers. We recommend that guests bring warm
and rainproof clothing. Please note that although umbrellas can be brought to the
venue, out of consideration for other members of the audience, they cannot be used
during the performance.\

In case of extreme weather, The Magic Flute may be delayed by
up to 50 minutes at any point throughout the performance.

The performance will only be cancelled if the weather poses a threat to the safety
of performers or the audience. Cancellation will occur in the event of heavy rain
and/or strong winds as Opera Australia and Bleach* Festival acknowledges that the
comfort and safety of the audience and its performers are paramount.

If the performance is cancelled or plays for less than 50% of the total performance
running time, the ticket holder shall have the ticket price refunded in full or can
exchange the ticket for a subsequent performance. Customers should contact the organisation
from whom they purchased their tickets to organise an exchange or refund of tickets
the next business day.

From the iconic Surfers Paradise beach to the sophisticated dining precincts of
Main Beach and Broadbeach and out to the lush, green Hinterland, there’s a new
experience waiting for you at every turn on the Gold Coast.